[NoMoreVauxhalls]

Hey all,

I've had a child seat in the rear of my X3 since January as I've occasionally needed it to help with a friend's childcare.

I was cleaning the interior of the car today, so thought I'd remove the seat to do a proper job. Only to see that the leather seat cushion now has indents where the child seat has been resting.
Mainly just below the two isofix points, but some on the thigh support edge, and backrest, too:




Any others on here had this? Will the leather return to 'normal' after a few days/weeks, or has it permanently stretched/indented like this? It didn't really flatten out as I tried to press it back into shape, but I'm hoping that the cushion underneath will decompress over time.

Would appreciate some feedback from someone who's had this before.

I'm reluctant to put the child seat back in, now.

[jmaudi0]

When I took the carseat out of my old car I had those dents as well. Leather should reform over time but I didn't want to risk it with my M40i. Amazon has a ton of carseat pads. I bough this one...no complaints - https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

[csm7djs]

Yes have exactly the same thing - I've had the seat covers from Amazon as well and it still leaves smaller indents.

They do come out after a few days...

[NoMoreVauxhalls]

That's great - thanks both for the feedback

I'll update this thread in a week or so, maybe with another picture, to show if the indents disappear...

In the meantime, I'm also going to get one of the protectors from Amazon. Thanks again for that tip!

[chassis]

Happens everywhere across most/all manufacturers. Look at listings on cargurus, lots of rear seats with child seat indentations in the seating material.

[NoMoreVauxhalls]

Originally Posted by chassis

Happens everywhere across most/all manufacturers. Look at listings on cargurus, lots of rear seats with child seat indentations in the seating material.

Yeah - i guess so. My previous cars have been cloth seat covers, which might explain why I've never noticed it before. It just really stands out like a sore thumb on the ivory leather in the X3!

Plus, the fact that they're visible in used car listings on Cargurus seems to indicate that the indents don't fully disappear - which isn't great.

[swreefkeeper]

I'm sure they accomplish the same thing but has anyone tried the seat cover from BMW? It also comes with a seat back cover for a forward facing car seat. https://www.getbmwparts.com/oem-part...2448367?c=az0x

[MrSo0h0o]

If you go the car seat pad route, just make sure that your specific car seat allows it. Some car seats allow the pad, some only allow a thin blanket, and some others do not allow it at all.

[kscarrol]

Kids are in their 20's now but we simply put a small folded towel under the car seat to protect the leather from the car seat and frankly the kids themselves!

[NoMoreVauxhalls]

Originally Posted by swreefkeeper

I'm sure they accomplish the same thing but has anyone tried the seat cover from BMW? It also comes with a seat back cover for a forward facing car seat.

Interesting - I can see the case for the seatback cover to protect the back of the front seat from kicks, etc. Like most BMW bits, tho, it's a bit pricey!

Originally Posted by MrSo0h0o

If you go the car seat pad route, just make sure that your specific car seat allows it. Some car seats allow the pad, some only allow a thin blanket, and some others do not allow it at all.

Good point. The seat I've been using is a Joie "Stages" one. Will have to check it...

[Coi]

My dad used to have a 2011 Audi A8L which he bought CPO and it had indents like this from a child seat in the rear. The marks did become significantly less noticeable over the few years he had the car but never completely went away. It was a black interior with perforated leather so once edges on the indents smoothed out maybe that helped hide them a lot. It never really bothered us.

[sbt007]

I use a thick/somewhat hard car seat protector which protects the bottom and back of the seat. Very little goes under. If not available, use a double layer below the seat. That will take care the future.
Mine was from ToysRus while they existed but plenty available on amazon.

[methodtim]

I use these to protect my seats, they're perfect: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

[sbt007]

Originally Posted by methodtim

I use these to protect my seats, they're perfect: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

These are nice, will suggest a high back protector if the back of the car seat/booster is not smooth.

[methodtim]

Originally Posted by sbt007

These are nice, will suggest a high back protector if the back of the car seat/booster is not smooth.

True, my kid just uses a booster base, which is why I opted for these.

[ga9213]

Give it a nice hot day and a little leather conditioner and they'll come right out.

[rob175]

"Back in the day", I just placed a 1/4" thick piece of marine plywood under it that I cut to fit. I even varnished it for a more "finished" look. Cost was about $5.... and when I wasn't using it I tossed it in the trunk.

Maybe WeatherTech sells one?.....but, might need to "take out a second mortgage" to pay their prices!......lol.

[RFGuy_KCCO]

Originally Posted by jmaudi0

When I took the carseat out of my old car I had those dents as well. Leather should reform over time but I didn't want to risk it with my M40i. Amazon has a ton of carseat pads. I bough this one...no complaints - https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I use these, as well. I highly recommend them. Also protects the seats from the dropped crumbs and spills that inevitably happen.

[X3rd Time Is a Charm]

Originally Posted by jmaudi0

When I took the carseat out of my old car I had those dents as well. Leather should reform over time but I didn't want to risk it with my M40i. Amazon has a ton of carseat pads. I bough this one...no complaints - https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/...UTF8&psc=1

I also use the Lusso cover from Amazon. I bought a 2018 CPO X3 and the first owner must have had multiple car seats and had the car seats so tight that they left permanent indents in the leather. You can still see where they were and I've had the X3 for a year now. I would definitely get some sort of seat cover to prevent permanent damage to you seats .

[sbt007]

I have the one that looks like Lusso and I do use it in my other car for a lighter booster seat. But for the heavier car seats with high indentation probability I use a much thicker one like this:
https://www.amazon.com/Protector-Shy...%2C128&sr=8-15

The fabric is so thick in this one that no indents can possibly pass through.

[dinan5m3]

Originally Posted by NoMoreVauxhalls

Any others on here had this? Will the leather return to 'normal' after a few days/weeks, or has it permanently stretched/indented like this?

Mine is still like that (from different cause) since 2004 (e46), and i'm still waiting for it to return to that "normal" state, no joke...

[suby01]

No I have not had this because I use a car seat protector mat.
You can smooth out the leather by using heat and a brush. Wont be perfect but will be better.